Massage implement.



No. 852,163. Y PATENTED APR. 3-0, 1907. L. B. BUCHANAN.

MASSAGE IMPLEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED 00127, 1906.

2 SHEETSSHBET 1.

I mwm/d @M M No. 852,163. PATENTED APR. 30, 1907. L. B. BUCHANAN.

2 sums-sum 2.

,520871307', fflmwvd/ mm connection with the shocking coil.

LEONARD B. BUCHANAN, OF WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSAGE IMPLEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 30, 1907.

Application filed October 27, 1906. Serial No. 340.821.

To all whom it n'twy concern.-

Be it known that I, LEONARD B. BUCHANAN, of Noburn, county of MiddleseX,State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in MassageImplements, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on thedrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to massaging implements, and has for its objectthe provision of means whereby electric energy is employed in connectionwith the massaging tools, and furthermore, a medicinal or othersubstance which I herein refer to generally as a medicament, may bedeposited upon the skin in the path of movement of the massaging toolsand worked into the skin by the massaging tools and by the aid of theelectric current; and furthermore, whereby electric shocks may beproduced, which, although slight, are sufficiently powerful to be felt,which results in obtaining to a high degree the benefits to be derivedfrom the use of electric energy, and further assists in augmenting theresults produced by the employment of the medicament.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a massaging implement embodying thisinvention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the massaging implement shown inFig. 1, the end wall of the case being removed to expose the partstherein. Fig. 3 is a side view of the massaging implement, the side wallof the case being broken away to expose the parts within it. Fig. 4 is adetail showing a form of vibrating circuit operating device which may beemployed in Fig. 5 is a modified form of massaging implement embodyingmy invention. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the medicamentcarrier. Fig. 7 is a modified form of medicament carrier. Fig. 8 is anenlarged detail of one of the massaging tools. Fig. 9 is a view showinga modified form of massaging tool which may be employed. Fig. 10 is anend view of the massaging tool shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows a diagramof the circuits of the implement shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 12 is a diagramof a modified arrangement of circuits which may be employed. Fig. 13 isa modification of the device to be referred to.

(1 represents a hollow shell or case of any suitable shape anddimensions, but preferably formed to serve as a hand-piece, adapted tobe grasped by the hand of the operator for the purpose of manipulatingthe implement.

b, I), represent a pair of massaging tools, which, for the sake ofillustration, are made as rollers. These tools are supported by suitablebrackets b, b, which are secured to the shell or case, at one endthereof. They are disposed a short distance apart and occupyapproximately the same plane. hen the massaging-tools are made asrollers they may be formed with plane surfaces, as shown in Figs. 1 and9, or with spirally arranged ribs, as shown in Fig. 8, wherein it willbe seen that two sets of ribs are employed, which extend from the middleof the roller in a direction toward the ends thereof.

The medicament-carrier herein shown consists of a roller 0, journaled insuitable end supports a, and disposed between said massaging-tools b, b.so as to occupy a position in the path of movement of said tools as theimplement is manipulated. The roller 0 may have covering of absorbentmaterial by which the medicament will be retained in order that it maybe deposited on the skin as the roller is moved. over the surfacethereof.

Or it may consist of a rod having disks thereon of absorbent or othermaterial, suitably medicated, or said medicament-carrier may beotherwise constructed to carry a medicament and deposit it on the skinas required.

It is designed to connect the massagingtools with a source ofelectricity whereby electric energy may be utilized in connection withsaid tools. To this end an electric battery is contained in the shell orcase, which, as herein shown, consists of two battery cells (Z, d, whichare conveniently arranged therein, quite close together, as representedin Fig. 2, or they may be separated as shown in Fig. 5. Thecircuit-wires lead from said battery to the massaging-tools, so thatsaid tools become the electrodes.

It is also designed to employ a shockingcoil, by which repeated shocksmay be produced, which are, of course, slight, but sulficient for thepurposes intended, and as herein shown said shocking-coil consists of anelectromagnet 0, having a vibrating armature e. Said electromagnet andarmature are contained in the shell or case and suitably arranged withrespect to the battery therein, as for instance, in Fig. 2 it isrepresented as below the battery, and in Fig. 5 as between the two cellsthereof.

The electro-magnet c is herein shown as included in a circuit-wire 2,leading from one side of the battery directly to one of themassaging-tools Z), see Fig. 11. A circuit-wire 3, leads from twobranch. wires 4 and 5, one of which, as 4, is connected. with the middleof the battery, and the other of which as 5, is connected with theopposite side of the battery to which the wire 2 is connected. he branchwire 4 contains a circuit-closing device or switch f, and the branchwire contains a circuit-closing device or switch f. When the switch f isoperated to close the branch wire t, a part only of the battery will beincluded in the circuit, and when the switch f is operated to close thebranch wire 5, the whole battery will be included in the circuit. Thetwo switches f and f each near a stud, see Fig. 2, and said studsproject tln'ough holes in the shell or case, and are, therefore,accessible at the outside thereof; and they are conveniently located soas to be engaged and operated by the thumb of the operamr; although itis obvious that they may be otherwise arranged and operated.

The circuit-wire 25 leads to a contact pen 0, which. as shown in Big. 3is attached to a screw 50, passing up through a plate 34, but insulatedtherefrom, and said contact pen is located beneath the vibratingarmature a, so to be engaged by said armature, when, the latter is inits retracted position. The contact pen rests upon an ad justing-screw 0supported .by said stationary plate 3a. A circuit-wire 6 leads from saidplate to the other massa ing-tool b. The vibrating armature e is adaptedto be connected. with the circuit-wire 2, or disconnected therefrom, asdesired, and for the purpose a two-point switch a is employed, see l'igs. 3 and 11. .[n Fig. 3 said vibrating armature has a llexible arm 6attached to it, which extends upward and continually bears against anuprigut arm 0 to which. a circuit-wire '7 is connected, which leads tothe circuit-wire 2 through the switch 0 However, it is obvious that thiselectric connection may be made in other ways.

When the switch-arm c occupies the position shown in Figs. 3 and 11, thevibrating armature will be included in the circuit, and when saidswitcharm occupies its other position, said armature will bedisconnected from the circuit. 11011 the vibrating armature is includedin the circuit and the circuit is closed it will vibrate rapidly,repeatedly closing the connections between the circuit wires 2 and S,and thereby producing slight shocks which may be felt by the personusing the implement.

The rapidly vibrating armature also niechanically vibrates the implementto a slight extent, and as such vibrations occur simultaneously with theelectric shocks they aid in giving force and effect to said shocks.

l l l l l in case the shocking-coil is not required or desired, it maybe cut out by moving the switch arm 0, or it may be entirely omitted, asshown in the diagram Fig. 12. leierring to Fig. 13 it will be seen thatthe battery and shocking-coil are removed lrom the shell or case, andthe electric wires lead lrom said shell or case to the battery andshockingcoil, which will be located at any convenient point.

In operation, the lnassagh1g-electro les are pressed into :l'irm.contact with. the skin, and the implement moved along, and themedicament is deposited on the skin in. the path of movement oil. saidelectrodes and the skin thereby moistened, and the current llOll'l thebattery passes from one m: ssaging-electro le to the other, the skin. orportion oi the body between said electrodes serving as the conductor,the conductivity oi which will be enhanced by the medicament which isdeposited thereon and which .moistens it.

by the implement herein shown, it will be seen that electric energy isutilized in conjunction with the 1nassagingr llers and in combinationwith the medicament carrier and the benelits inherent to its useobtained, but the current is only applied locally, and hence does notall'ect other parts oi the body.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 2 1. In a massaging-miplement thecombination oi a hand-piece, a pair of massagingelectrodes borne by it,which are insulated ii rom each other and connected with a source ofelectric energy, and a niedicanient-carrier, indepei'ident of saidelectrodes, but disposed adjacent thereto, which. is constructed andarranged. to apply a medicament in the path of movement or saidelectrodes, substantially as described.

2. A inussaging-iinj lement comprising a hai'id-piece, a pair oin'iassaging-electrorles borne by it, which are connected with a sourceor electric energy, and a rolling inedicamentcarrier independent oi saidelectrodes, but disposed adjacent thereto, which is constructed andarrangml to apply a medicament in the path of movement oi saidelectrodes, substai'itially as described.

3. in a inassaging-implement, the combination of a hand-piece, a pair oimassagingelectrodes borne by it, which are insulated from each other andconnected with. a source of electric energy, a shocking-coil adapted tobe connected in circuit with said electrodes, and. a medicament-carrierimlependent ol said electrodes, but disposed adjacent thereto,constructed and arranged to apply a medicament in the path of movementof said electrodes, substantially as described.

4'. In a massaging implement, the combination of an inclosing case, abattery and a shocking coil contained therein, a pair 01 con- 4 ductingrollers supported on the exterior of said case and insulated from eachother and electrically connected respectively to the opposite sides ofsaid battery, a circuit closing device for the circuit of said battery,a switch for including therein or excluding therefrom the shocking coil,and a medieament-carrier, independent of said electrodes, but disposedadjacent thereto which is constructed. and arranged to apply amedicament in the path of movement of said electrodes, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a massaging implement, the combi nation of aninclosing case, abattery contained therein, a pair of massaging electrodes supported insaid ease and insulated from each other, and electrically connectedrespectively to the opposite sides of said. battery, two independentcircuit closing devices for the circuit of said battery, each accessiblefrom the outside of the case, one of which is adapted, when depressed,to include a portion of said battery in circuit, and the other, whendepressed, to include all of said battery in circuit, and amedicament-carrier, independent of said electrodes, but disposedadjacent thereto which is constructed and. arranged to apply amedicament in the path of movement of said electrodes, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a massaging implement, the combination of an inclosing case, apair of massaging electrodes supported by it, which are insulated fromeach other and connected with a battery circuit, an electro-magnet insaid circuit having a vibrating armature to repeatedly short-circuitsaid massaging electrodes, a circuit closing device for said batterycircuit, and a medicament-carrier, independent of said electrodes, butdisposed adjacent thereto which is constructed and ar ranged to apply amedicament in the path of movement of said electrodes, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a massaging implement, the combi nation of an inclosing case, apair of massaging electrodes supported by it which are in sulated fromeach other and connected with a battery circuit, an electro-magnet insaid circuit having a vibrating armature, a cireuit closing deviceoperated by said vibratl l a i ing armature to repeatedly short-circuitsaid massaging electrodes, a circuit closing device for said batterycircuit, a switch for including said repeatedly operated circuit closingdevice in said. battery circuit or excluding it therefrom, and amedicament-carrier, independent of said electrodes, but disposedadjacent thereto which is constructed and arranged to apply a medicamentin the path of movement of said electrodes, substantially as described.

8. In a massaging implement, the combination of an inclosing case, abattery and a shocking coil contained therein, a pair of conductingrollers supported on the exterior of said case and insulated from eachother and electrically connected respectively to the opposite sides ofsaid battery, means for closing the circuit ofsaid battery and means forincluding the shocking coil in said circuit, and a roller of absorbentmaterial located adjacent to said conducting rollers adapted to containa medicament, substantially as described.

9. In a massaging implement, the combination of a .hand piece, a pair ofmassaging rollers borne by it, which are insulated from each other andconnected with a source of electric energy, and a roller of absorbent material mounted adjacent to said massagingrollers, the contact surface ofall of said rollers being in substantially the same plane,

substantially as described.

10. A massaging implement comprising a hand piece, a pair of massagingrollers disposed in parallelism, end supports therefor borne by the handpiece and insulated from each. other and connected with a source ofelectric energy, and a rolling medicament carrier disposed inparallelism with said mas saging rollers, and end supports for saidcarrier attached to said hand piece, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEONARD B. BUCHANAN.

Witnesses B. J. NoYns, H. B. DAVIS.

